LAS CRUCES - No one in Mesilla will argue that the recession has played havoc with town's economy and town government's finances.

After several years of no raises - at one point money got so tight the Mesilla board of trustees had to layoff several employees - the circumstances have slightly improved. Last fiscal year in 2012, employees were able to get a 2 percent salary hike.

But remaining cautious after the economy bottomed out, town officials opted not to increase salaries for the town's 26 employees for the current 2013 fiscal year, which continues through June 30.

"If it's not there, it's not there," said Janey Delgado, who has lived in Mesilla for most of her 23 years. "I guess they work hard, I guess they deserve to get a raise if they've earned it. But if it's going to hurt the things, the services, the town provides to the residents then it's just common sense they don't give themselves a raise.

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Hopefully, the economy gets better and then they can get paid better."

For its 26 employees, Mesilla has budgeted $720,810 for salaries this year, which is 64 percent of town government's total budget. It's the same amount the town budgeted for the 2012 fiscal year.

Fire Chief Kevin Hoban and Public Works Director Deborah Lujan are the town's highest-paid employees. Each earns $54,891 annually.

Four of Mesilla's 10 best-paid employees have salaries of $51,000 or more. In addition to Hoban and Lujan, Town Clerk Nicholas Eckert is paid $54,080 and Marshal Jeff Gray nets $51,500 a year.

"The town attempts to be as competitive as possible with salary rates," Eckert said. "We have been able to hire well qualified staff members, which is a benefit to the town citizens."

Most of Mesilla's employees do not live within the town's limits.

Elected positions in town government are among the lowest paid. Mayor Nora Barraza's $30,000 annual salary ranks 13th among the town's 26 employees. Municipal Judge Lionel Frietze is paid $15,000 a year, and Mesilla's four trustees have the lowest-paying job. Each receives $8,000 a year.

The average salary for an elected official in Mesilla is $12,833.

"The elected officials salaries are mandated by town ordinance," Eckert said. "If they choose to make changes to elected official salaries, the new salaries would not be implemented until after (the next) town election."

Steve Ramirez can be reached at 575-541-5452. Follow him on Twitter @SteveRamirez6

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